Portable building structure

ABSTRACT

A portable and demountable building structure where the roof and walls are formed of a plurality of substantially equal sized panels joined together at the edges by special H-shaped joiner strips. The panels are formed by a pair of rigid skins of a formed plastic material and a core of low-density material such as foamed plastic. Each skin has L-shaped connecting flanges in back-to-back relationship with the flanges of the other skins. The H-shaped connectors engage the panel connecting flanges in a resilient manner to tightly retain the flanges together. Special corner pieces join the H connectors together at the corners and join the roof to the side walls at gabled portions thereof. A special roof central ridge connector rigidly joins roof panels together forming a rigid peak. Window and door structures are formed within regular sized panels.

United States Patent [191 Bergmann, Jr.

[ June 3, 1975 PORTABLE BUILDING STRUCTURE 21 Appl. No.: 494,239

[52] US. Cl. 52/90; 52/281; 52/582 [51] Int. Cl E04b 1/343 [58] Field ofSearch 52/57, 90, 127, 204, 281, 52/284, 285, 282, 582, 586, 91, 92, 93,615, 309, 619, 406

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,885,330 11/1932 Cherdronet a] 52/90 3,236,014 2/1966 Edgar 3,313,073 4/1967 Mathews 3,333,3738/1967 Taylor et al. 3,512,819 5/1970 Morgan et al. 3,640,039 2/1972McKee et a1. 3,665,662 5/1972 Timbrook et al. 3,683,569 8/1972 Holm3,783,083 6/1973 Shimano 52/582 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 229,7508/1960 Australia 52/619 Primary ExaminerPrice C. Faw, Jr. Attorney,Agent, or Firm--McGarry & Waters [57] ABSTRACT A portable anddemountable building structure where the roof and walls are formed of aplurality of substantially equal sized panels joined together at theedges by special H-shaped joiner strips. The panels are formed by a pairof rigid skins of a formed plastic material and a core of low-densitymaterial such as foamed plastic. Each skin has L-shaped connectingflanges in back-to-back relationship with the flanges of the otherskins. The H-shaped connectors engage the panel connecting flanges in aresilient manner to tightly retain the flanges together. Special cornerpieces join the H connectors together at the corners and join the roofto the side walls at gabled portions thereof. A special roof centralridge connector rigidly joins roof panels together forming a rigid peak.Window and door structures are formed within regular sized panels.

18 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEU JUH 3 I975 SHEET PORTABLEBUILDING STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the InventionThis invention relates to portable building structures. In one of itsaspects, the invention relates to a lightweight building structure whichcan be quickly assembled and disassembled on temporary sites.

2. State of the Prior Art In the recreational industry, there is a needfor portable structures which are more substantial, warmer, and dryerthan tents, yet less bulky than trailers and mobile homes. A portableprefabricated structure which is assembled in sections is disclosed inthe Moss, U.S. Pat. No. 3,562,975. The panels which form the structureare formed of a resilient material such as plywood and backed with afoamed plastic material such as Ensolite. The panels are shaped likeisoceles trapezoids with curvilinear sides and lateral edges. The panelsare bent over to form a domelike shape. H-shaped plastic strips join thepanels together in their bent over condition.

Other pre-fabricated building structures of a more permanent nature aredisclosed in the U.S. Pat. Nos. to Cherdron, et al. 1,885,330, McAvoy,et al. 1,925,769, and Shimano 3,738,083. In each of these prior artstructures, panels are secured together at the edges through joiningtechniques which include H-shaped strips in the Cherdron, et al.structure. In the Shimano, et al. structure, the panels are made fromfoamed polystyrene covered with a metal foil. Metal extrusions of aspecial shape are secured to the edges of the panel and form aninterlocking configuration with adjacent panels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, there is provided arelatively inexpensive portable building which is easy and quick toassemble without tools and by one or at the most two persons. Thestructure is light in weight, water tight and insulated.

The building is formed from a plurality of panels, preferrablysubstantially all of equal size and shape with the panels joinedtogether at the edges to form walls and a roof. Desirably, the panelsare each formed of a pair of rigid skins of a formed plastic materialand a core of low density insulating material. The skins are joined atthe edge of the panels to enclose the core. L- shaped connecting flangesare formed at the side edges of the panels and are positioned inback-to-back relationship with each other, forming a T-shaped connectingflange at the edges of the panels. An H-shaped panel connector is formedof an extruded plastic material and joins the panels together at theadjacent edges thereof. The connector has a central web and parallellegs shaped so as to cover the adjoining L-shaped connector flanges. Thelegs have inwardly directed retaining lips at the ends thereof which fitbehind the outwardly directed portions of the L-shaped connector flangesof the skins to retain the panels in joined relationship with eachother. The legs of the panel connector are desirably of a resilientmaterial and biased toward each other to provide positive sealing of thejoints of the panels.

The panels are connected together at the corners thereof through cornerconnectors having elongated T-shaped flanges which engage I-I-shapedconnectors on the panels adjacent the corner. The same corner connectorsare used between the roof panels and triangular gable panels beneath theroof gables.

Each panel further comprises an anchor means at one end thereof whichmay include a rod embedded in the plastic with an opening for engagementwith a hook and the like. The roof panels are secured to the side wallsthrough a ball locking member which is secured to the top of the sidewalls and a socket member which at one end engages the anchor of theroof panel and at the other end engages the ball. Desirably, the socketmember is adjustably secured to the ball containing member.

Further, according to the invention, a central ridge connector providescentral support for the roof and has slots at opposite sides thereof forreceiving the edges of the roof panel members. Means are provided forrigidly and demountably securing the roof panel members to the ridgeconnector at the slots thereof.

The equal sized panels are lightweight and easy to stack and carry.Further, the equal sized panels reduce the die cost and thus reduce themanufacturing cost. The ridge panel can be sectional or be cut to sizeso that buildings of different lengths can be constructed without anychange in'parts.

The structure thus formed according to the invention is easily assembledand usually disassembled without the use of tools. The insulated panelsprovide a warm structure which avoids condensation on the inner wallsand ceiling, and the unique connectors between the panels seal outmoisture and wind to provide a warm and dry structure. The central ridgeconnector provides the structural strength for the roof and thusnormally avoids interior or side wall posts. A canvas or fabric floorcan be provided and secured to the side walls of the panel at the anchormeans or the structure can be assembled on a platform of concrete, woodor other suitable material.

The complete structure is assembled with only a few standard pieces:namely, standard sized panels which include a door panel and a windowpanel, joiner strips for the panels, corner posts, H-bars between theroof and walls, ball and socket connectors for the roof. If desirable,ground plates can also be used. The structure in demounted form iseasily transportable on the top of a car, in a stationwagon, in a smallboat, whether in the water or towed behind a car on a trailer, or in asmall plane.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable building structure accordingto the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view through the portable buildingstructure seen generally along lines 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view through lines 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view through lines 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a door panel;

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view taken through lines 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view taken through lines 7-7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a window section;

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view taken through lines 9-9 of FIG. 8;and

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view taken through lines l010 of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings,and to FIG. 1 in particular, there is illustrated a portable buildingstructure 12 comprising opposite side walls 14 (only one of which isshown in FIG. 1), a front wall 16, and a hip roof 18. A back wall (notshown) similar to front wall 16 is also provided to complete thestructure.

The side walls 14 are made from one or more basic panels 20 and mayinclude a window panel 22. The opposite side wall can be of likeconstruction. The front wall 16 is made from one or more basic panels20, one or more window panels 22, and a door panel 24. In like manner,the back wall can have one or more basic panels 20, one or more windowpanels 22, and optionally a door panel 24. Triangular panels 28 extendbetween the top of the wall panels 20, 22, 24, and the gabled sides ofthe roof 18. A plurality of basic panels 20 connected to a structuralridge connector 26 forms the hip roof 18. All panels 20, 22, and 24 aredesirably of equal size so that the panels are interchangeable anddifferent door and window arrangements are possible.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 2 and 3 for a description of the mannerin which the panels are secured together. All of the upright panels 20,22, and 24 are optionally positioned in H-shaped ground bars 30 whichrim the perimeter of the portable building structure. Drain holes 32 areprovided in one side of the bars 30 to permit the drainage of water. Ananchor flange 34 can be provided on the outside edge of the bar 30adjacent the ground with a hole therein for receiving an anchoring stake36. Desirably, the wall is bolted to the ground bars 30 through asuitable bolt 31. The ground bars 30 can take any shape, for example, aU-shape, or can be eliminated, if desired. Also, the anchoring stake 36can pass through both the side wall panel 20 and the ground bar 30,thereby eliminating the need for the bolt 31.

The basic panels 20 have a hook opening 38 at a bottom portion thereofand a retainer 40 is embedded in the panels in the opening 38. Thesepanels are used for the side walls as well as for the roof. A hook 42 ispivotably mounted to the retainer 40 in one or more side wall panels andengages the grommets 46 in a flexible ground cover sheet 44. At theupper portion of the panels 20 a hole 48 is provided.

A bolt 50 extends through the hole 48 in some side wall panels and has aball at one end thereof. In the basic panel 20 forming part of the roof18, a rod 54 has a hook end which engages the retainer 40 therein. Asocket member 60 is slidably received on the rod 54 and has a socketportion which receives the ball end 52 of bolt 50. A wing nut 62 engagesa threaded end 58 of the rod 54 to securely retain one or more panels 20forming roof 18 in place above the side walls of the building structure.A modified H-shaped ground bar 30' is provided on top of the side wallpanel 20 for supporting the roof panel. Insulation 64 is provided in theopen space beneath the roof panel 20.

The bottom portion of the structural ridge connector 26 comprises asupport member formed from a formed metal sheet 68 sandwiched betweentwo layers of plastic material 66. The support member carries the topedge of the roof panels and extends to the peak of the roof. Astrengthening beam is formed at a central portion of the ridge connectorby a downwardly extending, rigidifying hump 72 of the metal sheet 68 aswell as the lower of the plastic sheets 66. The upper of the plasticsheets 66 extends directly across the base of the hump. Thestrengthening beam can alternately be formed by a separate panel or polewhich is connected to the support members of the ridge connector. Thestrengthening beam can be formed of wood, an aluminum l-beam, or can bea special cast shape integral with the support members. A surfaceplastic sheet 70 forms a cap member for the ridge connector 26 to causethe rain water to flow over the top of the roof panels. Wood spacerblocks 74 and insulation 76 are provided between the plastic layers 66and70. Tapped holes78 are provided through the layers of plastic 66 andthe formed metal sheet 68 near the edges thereof to receive andthreadably engage machine bolts 84. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, themachine bolt extends through the hole 48 in the upper portion of theroof panel 20. Desirably, a sealing gasket 80 of a rubbery material isprovided along the lower lip of the plastic layer 70 for sealingpurposes.

The structural ridge connector 26 is of such strength that centralsupport posts can be eliminated although support posts can be used ifdesired. Some support for the ends of the ridge connector 26 is providedat the front and back walls through the triangular panels 28 althoughthe main rigidity comes from the ridid nature of the ridge connector 26and the rigid connections between the roof panels and the rigidconnector at the upper end and between the roof panels and the sidewalls at the lower end.

The connection between the panels forming the side walls is illustratedin FIG. 3. Each of the basic panels 20 is formed from a pair ofidentical dish-shaped skins 86 placed in back-to-back relationship atside edges 88 and leaving a hollow interior which is filled with a lowdensity and insulating material 91, e.g., a plastic foam material suchas foamed polyurethane or fiberglass batting. Outwardly extendingL-shaped connecting flanges 90 extend from the side edges 88 and fitwithin I-I- shaped plastic connectors 92.

The H-shaped plastic connectors 92 are desirably formed of an extrudedplastic material. As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the H-shaped connectors 92have a central web and parallel legs which extend over the L- shapedflanges 90 of adjacent panels. The legs have inwardly directed retaininglips 94 at the ends thereof which fit behind and interlock with theL-shaped flanges 90. The legs are biased in contact with the L- shapedflanges 90 for positive sealing.

The side panels are assembled in easy fashion by laying the panelsadjacent one another on the ground and sliding the plastic H-shapedconnectors 92 along the edges of the panel to grip the connectingflanges 90 thereof.

The panels are connected together at the corners through the plasticl-l-shaped connectors 98 and through a special corner post 96. Thecorner post has T-shaped connecting flanges 98 in a manner similar tothe connecting flanges 90 of the panels 20, but disposed at an angle of90 with respect to each other. If desirable, the angle between theT-shaped flanges 98 can be disposed at other angles with respect to eachother if other polygonal or non-polygonal shaped structures are desired.Thus, the angles can range from 60 for a regular triangular wallstructure to substantially less than 180, for example, 135 for regularoctagonal wall structures.

Each of the panels 20, 22, 24, and 28, have the same basic construction,i.e., with the skin and low density center 91. In addition, each of thepanels has the connecting flanges at the sides thereof for engagementwith the plastic I-I-shaped connectors 92. Each of the panels can thusbe connected in like manner with the standard connectors 92.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, a plurality of the basic panels form the roof.The panels 20 are connected together at the side edges 88 through theconnecting flanges 90 and H-shaped connectors 92. At the corner of theroof, an H-shaped connector 92 is used in conjunction with a corner post96, and another I-l-shaped connector 92 to secure the triangular panel28 to the roof panel 20. As seen in FIG. 4, the ridge connector 26 has adepending side flange 82 which extends down alongside the corner post96. A sealing gasket 100 can be provided on the bottom edge of thedepending flange 82 in order to seal the ridge connector againsrwind.

An H-shaped channel 30 is also provided at the top of the front or backwall panel, which for the sake of illustration is shown as a basic panel20. The H-shaped channel runs along the entire top of the back wall andthe front wall 16. The triangular panels 28 have a flush bottom edgewhich fits into the top of the H-shaped channel 30 at the top of thepanels forming the front and back walls of the building. As illustratedin FIG. 4, the triangular panel 28 has connecting flanges 90 which runalong the top edge thereof for retention by the H-shaped connectors 92at the gabled roof edge. The triangular panels 28 also have connectingflanges 90 (not shown) at the central edge thereof to join with thecorresponding edge of the adjacent triangular panel through a suitableI-I-shaped connector 92 in a manner similar to that described for panel20.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5-7 for a description of the door panel.A door 102 having a window 104 is mounted on hinges 106 on a peripheralfram 108. L- shaped channels 110 extend around the entire opening in theperipheral frame 108 on either side thereof. A faceplate 112 is providedadjacent one of the L-shaped channels 112 at the inside of theperipheral frame 108 as a door stop. The L-shaped channels 110 andthefaceplate 112 are secured to the peripheral frame 108 through aplurality of suitable bolts 114. Weatherstripping 116 is provided on theinside of the faceplate 112 in conventional manner for proper sealing ofthe door against the faceplate 112. Alternately, the L-shaped channels110, the faceplate 110 and the sealing gasket 116 can be made integrallyfrom extruded plastic.

A pair of L-shaped channels 118 are secured around the window opening inthe door 108 through a bolt 120. The window 104 is positioned betweenthe facing edges of the L-shaped channel 118 and is retained thereby.Weatherstripping material or glazing compound 122 is desirably providedbetween the window 104 and the mounting L-shaped channel 118.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 8-10 for a description of the windowpanel 22. A main frame portion 124 has a window 126 mounted thereinthrough an L- shaped channel 128 on one side and a faceplate 130 on theother side suitably secured to the main frame portion 124 through a bolt132. If desirable. the L-shaped channel 128 and the faceplate can beintegrally made in one piece of extruded plastic. The window isdesirably hinged at a bottom portion to the frame portion 124 through asuitable hinge 134. One of the leaves of the hinge 134 is secured to theL-shaped channel 128 through suitable screws and nuts (not shown) andthe other leaf of the hinge 134 is suitably secured to the window 126through a suitable adhesive. Desirably, a screen 136 is provided on theoutside of the window 126 and is retained on the frame between packingmaterial 138 and the faceplate 130. A latch is provided at the top ofthe window for securing the window in the closed position. To this end,a latch bolt 142 is slidably mounted in a retainer 144 which in turn issecured to the top of the window. The L-shaped channel 128 has a notchfor seating of the top of the latch 142. A wave spring 145 holds thelatch bolt 142 in the locked position.

The novel structure described is thus easily assembled and disassembled,warm, dry, and relatively light. It is light in weight, transportable byvirture of the light weight, substantially equal size panels. The equalsize panels also make many shapes and sizes possible without a change ofbasic construction materials.

Reasonable variation andmodification are possible within the scope ofthe foregoing disclosure without departing from the spirit of theinvention which is defined by the accompanying claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A portable and demountable building structure having a plurality ofwalls joined together to form an enclosure, and a roof demountablysecured to and covering the enclosure; the improvement which comprises:at least one of the walls and roof formed by at least first and secondpanel members, each of said panel members formed by a pair of rigidskins of a formed plastic material and a core of low density insulatingmaterial, the skins being joined together at the edges of the panels toenclose the core, the skins at the sides of the panels further forming asubstantially outwardly extending L-shaped connecting flange, with theL-shaped flanges of one skin being in a back-to-back relationship withthe L-shaped flanges of the other skin;

an I-I-shaped panel connector formed of an extruded plastic materialjoining said panels together at adjacent edges thereof, said connectorhaving a central web and parallel legs shaped so as to cover adjoiningL-shaped connector flanges, the legs having inwardly directed retaininglips at the ends thereof which fit behind the outwardly directedportions of the L-shaped connector flanges to retain the panels injoined relationship with each other, whereby adjoining panels can beconnected by sliding the H- shaped panel connectors along the L-shapedconnecting flanges thereof.

2. A portable and demountable building structure according to claim 1where said l-I-shaped panel connector is formed of a resilient materialso that the parallel legs thereof are spring biased in contact with theL- shaped flanges to provide positive sealing of the joints of thepanels.

3. A portable and demountable building structure according to claim 1wherein said panels are wall panels and one of said panels has a doorhingedly mounted therein.

4. A portable and demountable building structure according to claim 1wherein said panels are wall panels and one of said panels has a windowtherein.

5. A portable and demountable building structure according to claim 4and further comprising means for pivotably mounting said window in saidone panel and means for latching said window in said closed position.

6. A portable and demountable building structure according to claim 1wherein said panels are roof panels and further comprising a rigid ridgeconnector extending across said enclosure and forming a portion of saidroof;

means for demountably joining said panels to said ridge connector at oneedge of said panels; and

means for positioning said roof panels at an inclined acute angle withrespect to the horizontal.

7. A portable and demountable building structure according to claim 6wherein said ridge connector panel joining means includes sealing meansto prevent wind and moisture from seeping through the connection betweenthe roof panels and the ridge connector.

8. A portable and demountable building structure according to claim 1wherein said panels are wall panels and further comprising a third panelmember formed in the manner of said first and second panels and an H-shaped panel connector retained at one edge thereof;

a distal edge of said first panel has an H-shaped connector retainedthereby;

a corner connector having first and second T-shaped connecting flangesshaped to engage and be retained by said H-shaped connectors, saidT-shaped connecting flanges being at an angle substantially less than180 with respect to each other; and

said first T-shaped connecting flange being retained by said H-shapedconnector secured to the opposite edge of said first panel and saidsecond T- shaped connecting flange being retained by the H- shapedconnector at the edge of the third panel.

9. A portable and demountable building structure according to claim 8wherein said first T-shaped connecting flange is at an angle of about 90with respect to the second T-shaped connector flange.

10. A portable and demountable building structure according to claim 9wherein said roof is formed in a hip shape and further comprisingtriangular shaped panels between slanting portion of said roof and thetop edges of side walls therebeneath, and corner connectors securingsaid roof to said triangular shaped panels at the top portion thereof.

11. A portable and demountable building structure according to claim 1wherein said walls and said roof are formed of a plurality ofsubstantially equal sized panel members joined together at the edgesthereof through L-shaped flanges on said panels and H-shaped connectors.

' 12. A portable and demountable building structure according to claim11 wherein said panels have an anchor means in one end thereof and ahole in another end thereof and coupling means engaging said anchormeans on said panel members and said holes in said upper portion of saidpanel members forming said side walls to rigidly secure said side wallsto said roof.

13. A portable and demountable building structure according to claim 12wherein said coupling means includes a ball member secured to said sidewall panel member, a socket member, means adjustably securing saidsocket member to said roof panel member anchor means.

14. A portable and demountable building structure having a plurality ofwalls joined together to form an enclosure, and a roof demountablysecured to and covering said enclosure, the walls and the roof areformed of a plurality of substantially equal sized panel members joinedtogether at the edges thereof and means for rigidly coupling the roofpanels to the wall panels. the improvement in said coupling meanscomprising:

anchoring means on said roof panels;

a ball member secured to an upper portion of said wall member andprotruding inwardly thereof;

a socket member engagable with said ball member;

and.

means adjustably securing said socket member to said anchor means.

15. A portable and demountable building structure having a plurality ofwalls joined together to form an enclosure, and a roof demountablysecured and covering said enclosure, the improvement which comprises:

said roof formed of a plurality of substantially equal sized .panelmembers joined together at the sides thereof;

a central ridge connector, said ridge connector being rigid in natureand providing a central support for said roof panels, said ridgeconnector having slots at opposite sides thereof for receiving an edgeof panel members; and

means for rigidly and demountably securing said panel members to saidridge connector at said slots.

16. A portable and demountable building structure according to claim 15wherein said ridge connector is shaped so as to provide a hip roof withone group of said panels extending down from one slot and a second groupof panels extending downwardly from a second slot thereof.

17. A portable and demountable building structure according to claim 15wherein said ridge connector is provided with a strengthening beamextending downwardly from a central portion thereof and bracing oppositesides of said ridge connector.

18. A portable and demountable building structure according to claim 15wherein said central ridge connector comprises inclined support memberscarrying the top edges of said panel members at a lower end thereof, astrengthening beam rigidly secured to an upper end of said supportmembers, and a cap member covering said strengthening beam and saidsupport members to deflect rain water over said ridge connector to upperportions of said panel members.

1. A portable and demountable building structure having a plurality ofwalls joined together to form an enclosure, and a roof demountablysecured to and covering the enclosure; the improvement which comprises:at least one of the walls and roof formed by at least first and secondpanel members, each of said panel members formed by a pair of rigidskins of a formed plastic material and a core of low density insulatingmaterial, the skins being joined together at the edges of the panels toenclose the core, the skins at the sides of the panels further forming asubstantially outwardly extending L-shaped connecting flange, with theL-shaped flanges of one skin being in a back-to-back relationship withthe L-shaped flanges of the other skin; an H-shaped panel connectorformed of an extruded plastic material joining said panels together atadjacent edges thereof, said connector having a central web and parallellegs shaped so as to cover adjoining L-shaped connector flanges, thelegs having inwardly directed retaining lips at the ends thereof whichfit behind the outwardly directed portions of the L-shaped connectorflanges to retain the panels in joined relationship with each other,whereby adjoining panels can be connected by sliding the H-shaped panelconnectors along the L-shaped connecting flanges thereof.
 2. A portableand demountable building structure according to claim 1 where saidH-shaped panel connector is formed of a resilient material so that theparallel legs thereof are spring biased in contact with the L-shapedflanges to provide positive sealing of the joints of the panels.
 3. Aportable and demountable building structure according to claim 1 whereinsaid panels are wall panels and one of said panels has a door hingedlymounted therein.
 4. A portable and demountable building structureaccording to claim 1 wherein said panels are wall panels and one of saidpanels has a window therein.
 5. A portable and demountable buildingstructure according to claim 4 and further comprising means forpivotably mounting said window in said one panel and means for latchingsaid window in said closed position.
 6. A portable and demountablebuilding structure according to claim 1 wherein said panels are roofpanels and further comprising a rigid ridge connector extending acrosssaid enclosure and forming a portion of said roof; means for demountablyjoining said panels to said ridge connector at one edge of said panels;and means for positioning said roof panels at an inclined acute anglewith respect to the horizontal.
 7. A portable and demountable buildingstructure according to claim 6 wherein said ridge connector - paneljoining means includes sealing means to prevent wind and moisture fromseeping through the connection between the roof panels and the ridgeconnector.
 8. A portable and demountable building structure according toclaim 1 wherein said panels are wall panels and further comprising athird panel member formed in the manner of said first and second panelsand an H-shaped panel connector retained at one edge thereof; a distaledge of said first panel has an H-shaped connector retained thereby; acorner connector having first and second T-shaped connecting flangesshaped to engage and be retained by said H-shaped connectors, saidT-shaped connecting flanges being at an angle substantially less than180* with respect to each other; and said first T-shaped connectingflange being retained by said H-shaped connector secured to the oppositeedge of said first panel and said second T-shaped connecting flangebeing retained by the H-shaped connector at the edge of the third panel.9. A portable and demountable buIlding structure according to claim 8wherein said first T-shaped connecting flange is at an angle of about90* with respect to the second T-shaped connector flange.
 10. A portableand demountable building structure according to claim 9 wherein saidroof is formed in a hip shape and further comprising triangular shapedpanels between slanting portion of said roof and the top edges of sidewalls therebeneath, and corner connectors securing said roof to saidtriangular shaped panels at the top portion thereof.
 11. A portable anddemountable building structure according to claim 1 wherein said wallsand said roof are formed of a plurality of substantially equal sizedpanel members joined together at the edges thereof through L-shapedflanges on said panels and H-shaped connectors.
 12. A portable anddemountable building structure according to claim 11 wherein said panelshave an anchor means in one end thereof and a hole in another endthereof and coupling means engaging said anchor means on said panelmembers and said holes in said upper portion of said panel membersforming said side walls to rigidly secure said side walls to said roof.13. A portable and demountable building structure according to claim 12wherein said coupling means includes a ball member secured to said sidewall panel member, a socket member, means adjustably securing saidsocket member to said roof panel member anchor means.
 14. A portable anddemountable building structure having a plurality of walls joinedtogether to form an enclosure, and a roof demountably secured to andcovering said enclosure, the walls and the roof are formed of aplurality of substantially equal sized panel members joined together atthe edges thereof and means for rigidly coupling the roof panels to thewall panels, the improvement in said coupling means comprising:anchoring means on said roof panels; a ball member secured to an upperportion of said wall member and protruding inwardly thereof; a socketmember engagable with said ball member; and means adjustably securingsaid socket member to said anchor means.
 15. A portable and demountablebuilding structure having a plurality of walls joined together to forman enclosure, and a roof demountably secured and covering saidenclosure, the improvement which comprises: said roof formed of aplurality of substantially equal sized panel members joined together atthe sides thereof; a central ridge connector, said ridge connector beingrigid in nature and providing a central support for said roof panels,said ridge connector having slots at opposite sides thereof forreceiving an edge of panel members; and means for rigidly anddemountably securing said panel members to said ridge connector at saidslots.
 15. A portable and demountable building structure having aplurality of walls joined together to form an enclosure, and a roofdemountably secured and covering said enclosure, the improvement whichcomprises: said roof formed of a plurality of substantially equal sizedpanel members joined together at the sides thereof; a central ridgeconnector, said ridge connector being rigid in nature and providing acentral support for said roof panels, said ridge connector having slotsat opposite sides thereof for receiving an edge of panel members; andmeans for rigidly and demountably securing said panel members to saidridge connector at said slots.
 16. A portable and demountable buildingstructure according to claim 15 wherein said ridge connector is shapedso as to provide a hip roof with one group of said panels extending downfrom one slot and a second group of panels extending downwardly from asecond slot thereof.
 17. A portable and demountable building structureaccording to claim 15 wherein said ridge connector is provided with astrengthening beam extending downwardly from a central portion thereofand bracing opposite sides of said ridge connector.